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“Imogene,” a familiar voice laced with warmth and love soothed as I approached an arrangement of wicker couches and chairs, leaving my suitcase off to the side. A handful of people sat around a coffee table, holding a glass filled with either a Bloody Mary or mimosa.
“Hey, Mama.” I walked into her open arms and basked in her embrace.
I was lucky to have a great relationship with my mom. For so much of my life, we were all each other had, especially in those early days when we were living with a complete sociopath.
While I didn’t regret my decision to leave Atlanta, I did miss having her close by.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” She pulled back, concern etched in the lines of her face. Her auburn-tinted blonde hair fell down to her shoulders in waves, her cheeks slightly red from the sun. “Why didn’t you tell me about those necklaces? You can’t keep these things from me, Imogene. It’s only going to make me worry about you even more, especially being so far away.”
“I honestly thought it was just some fanatic,” I replied dismissively, giving her the same response I had each time I’d spoken to her since that night.
“But still. You?—”
“She’s fine, Julia,” a voice with an Australian accent interjected.
I stepped away from my mom and beamed at the man approaching, his blue eyes shining with all the affection of a father. He enveloped me in his embrace, leaving a soft kiss on my head.
“How you going, kid?” Lachlan asked.
“I’mgoingjust fine,” I replied, playfully mocking his use of the Australian phrase.
“Been out on your board?” He nodded toward the ocean glimmering in the distance.
“Every chance I get.”
Although, I hadn’t been surfing this past week, even after my doctor cleared me. Since my birthday party, I’d intentionally avoided going anywhere I might run into Gideon. Which meant avoiding surfing and taking Ollie to the beach.
“That’s my girl.” Lachlan gave me one last hug, filling me with a sense of comfort and love.
His DNA may not run through me, but since he met my mom over fifteen years ago, he’s filled the role of my father and then some. He taught me how to surf. Came to as many of my soccer games as he could, even when he was playing professional baseball. He even taught me how to drive. In my eyes, Lachlan Hale was my father.
“You’re sure you’re okay?” Mama pressed. “The police still haven’t found the guy who sent those necklaces, have they?”
“Not yet,” I admitted.
Truthfully, it was somewhat unsettling he hadn’t been found, but I wasn’t going to let that interfere with my life.
“Even so, there haven’t been any more…incidents since that night. I’m fine.” I squeezed her hand. “I’m safe. Don’t worry.”
“I’m your mother. I’malwaysgoing to worry about you.” She pushed out a long breath. “But I get it. You need to live your life.”
“Exactly.”
I turned my attention to the rest of the people sitting in the lounge chairs.
“Mr. Burnham,” I greeted as Melanie’s father stood and wrapped me in a hug, kissing my cheek.
Despite being in his sixties, he was in incredible shape, his years as a Navy SEAL, then owner of the premier private military firm in the country evident in his physique.
“I told you, Imogene. Call me Alexander.”
“I know.” I laughed slightly. “Southern etiquette is hard to break.”
“She’s right about that,” the tall brunette at his side said sweetly. “I’d spent a lot of my childhood in Charleston. You grow up learning to address all adults as Mr., Mrs., Miss, sir, or ma’am.”
“Exactly.” I sent Melanie’s mother, Olivia, a smile before turning my attention back to her father. “But I’ll work on it…Alexander.”
“Good.” He winked.
